Blackburn Toolshttp://www.blackburntools.com/blog
Thu, 18 Jan 2018 15:28:44 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.3.15Lie-Nielsen Saw Sharpening Workshop – Warren, MEhttp://www.blackburntools.com/blog/lie-nielsen-saw-sharpening-workshop-warren-me-2/
http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/lie-nielsen-saw-sharpening-workshop-warren-me-2/#commentsThu, 18 Jan 2018 15:28:44 +0000http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/?p=2250Continue reading →]]>Last year’s class was so much fun that I was delighted to be invited back to teach saw sharpening again this year at Lie-Nielsen’s beautiful headquarters in Warren, ME. If you’ve ever wanted to sharpen your own saws, I can’t think of a better way to start learning. Lie-Nielsen has a well-deserved reputation for being first class hosts, and this is sure to be no exception.

Lie-Nielsen Saw Sharpening Workshop, June 9-10 in Warren, ME.

Over the course of two days, I will cover the basics of saw tooth geometry before moving on to practice filing both rip and crosscut teeth. The cost for the two day workshop is $275.

Registration and further details are available on the Lie-Nielsen website. If you have any questions, please contact either myself or Lie-Nielsen.

]]>http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/lie-nielsen-saw-sharpening-workshop-warren-me-2/feed/0Christmas ordershttp://www.blackburntools.com/blog/christmas-orders/
http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/christmas-orders/#commentsTue, 07 Nov 2017 17:12:30 +0000http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/?p=2243Continue reading →]]>2017 has been an interesting year here. A significant uptick in orders, along with several family matters, has had me scrambling to keep up with orders. To all of you who patiently waited for me to ship your order, I send a hearty and well-deserved thanks.

Looking at my current order backlog, any order placed after tomorrow (November 8th) that includes saw parts may not ship out until after Christmas. Orders comprised solely of drill bits, saw files, and books or DVDs will still ship within several days.

I apologize for the short notice; if this leaves you in a bind as you shop for Christmas, send me a nice email and I will do what I can to expedite your order.

Saw files: First up are 5″ blunt saw files from Glen-Drake Toolworks. Made in Japan, I count these among the very best saw files that I have ever used. Blunt, in this case, does not refer to the teeth, but rather the shape of the file; unlike tapered saw files, blunt files are prismatic, having a uniform cross-section over their entire length. The corners are precise and the teeth are remarkably uniform and durable. Very close in size to a 5″ XX-slim taper file, but capable of filing finer teeth because of the sharper corners. Excellent for cutting in new teeth or touching up existing ones. The tang has a grippy rubber coating.

Chair scrapers: Next up is a new product from Brian Noel of BearKat Wood. As a woodworker specializing in chairs and other pieces with sculpted surfaces, Brian frequently needed a scraper suited for a variety of surfaces. His solution was a scraper that works as well on curved surfaces as it does on flat expanses.

Made of hardened and tempered spring steel, this scraper is equivalent to the premium or super hard ones sold by other manufacturers. It comes unsharpened and unburnished, but takes and holds a keen edge. Because of its hardness, use only a burnisher made from hardened steel or carbide to turn the burr (although unconventional, my carbide spade drill bits and Scrawls both make excellent burnishers).

Roubo curves: From Sterling Tool Works comes this luxurious, yet eminently practical, set of three french curves for full-scale work. Laser cut from stainless steel, these hefty curves (the largest weighs in at nearly 12 ounces!) stay put on your work. Made to last for generations, this set is a great way to break out of the rectilinear habit. Matte finish for lessened glare. The two smaller curves are 8-9 inches long; the largest is 18 inches long.

Making Things Work: Tales From a Cabinetmaker’s Life, by Nancy R. Hiller: Although the title of Nancy Hiller’s book is straighforward and descriptive of the contents, it scarcely belies the humorous and entertaining presentation of those stories. A wonderful read for anyone, woodworker or not.

With Saw, Plane & Chisel: Building Historic American Furniture With Hand Tools, by Zachary Dillinger: In this book, Zachary Dillinger documents the hand-tool-only construction of six pieces of classic American period furniture, spanning the major styles from the 1690s through to the mid-19th century.

Building the Historic Howarth Bow Saw, with Bill Anderson: No handtool workshop is complete without a bowsaw for curved work. This 2 disc (217 minutes) lesson shows how to make your own copy of an elegant English saw.

]]>http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/now-carrying-a-few-new-tools-from-other-tool-makers-books-dvds/feed/0Win one of my Roubo frame saws (or other great prizes)http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/win-one-of-my-roubo-frame-saws-or-other-great-prizes/
http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/win-one-of-my-roubo-frame-saws-or-other-great-prizes/#commentsWed, 14 Jun 2017 20:53:31 +0000http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/?p=2205Continue reading →]]>Hand tool enthusiast James Wright (Wood By Wright on YouTube) has put together a great little contest called Tool Make 2017. I love this idea – document the process of building a hand tool, give it away to someone who’s getting started in hand tool woodworking, and become eligible to win one of these great prizes:

Everybody wins – you as a maker build your skills (and could win a great prize), the hand tool making community learns more about making tools, and new hand tool workers get some encouragement and real support.

]]>http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/win-one-of-my-roubo-frame-saws-or-other-great-prizes/feed/0Just checking in (and an announcement for my European customers)http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/just-checking-in-and-an-announcement-for-my-european-customers/
http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/just-checking-in-and-an-announcement-for-my-european-customers/#commentsTue, 23 May 2017 17:19:42 +0000http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/?p=2208Continue reading →]]>The last several months have been taxing on both a personal and business level; the death of my brother, an unexpected surge in orders, developing a saw sharpening class for Lie-Nielsen, and outfitting myself for upcoming woodworking shows all met in one great confluence.

Over the last several years, I’ve tried my best to turn most orders around in a week or so. The events of the last few months have stretched that turnaround time to an uncomfortable level. Now, with Handworks done, and the summer looking relatively calm, I look forward to tackling the backlog and reducing turnaround time once again (I hate running behind just as much as my customers!).

I’ll also be working to catch up on emails. If you haven’t heard from me in the next week or so, feel free to send another one. I try my best to respond to everyone, but despite spending an hour or two each day answering them, some still slip through.

Finally, I have some great news for my European customers: Dieter Schmid Fine Tools is now carrying my Roubo frame saw kits. Shipping, import fees, and VAT on these saws has always been a sticking point, so this partnership should work well for everyone. Kits are available in all three sizes (2×32, 3×36, and 4×48); all come with sharpened blades. As always, plans and instructions/tips for use are available on my website and free for all to use.

Roubo frame saw blade and hardware.

Completed Roubo frame saws.

Roubo frame saw closeup.

Roubo frame saw closeup.

]]>http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/just-checking-in-and-an-announcement-for-my-european-customers/feed/1Lie-Nielsen Saw Sharpening Workshop – Warren, MEhttp://www.blackburntools.com/blog/lie-nielsen-saw-sharpening-workshop-warren-me/
http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/lie-nielsen-saw-sharpening-workshop-warren-me/#commentsFri, 13 Jan 2017 16:02:59 +0000http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/?p=2192Continue reading →]]>If you’ve ever wanted to sharpen your own saws, but didn’t know where to start, I can’t think of a better setting to learn the skill than at Lie-Nielsen’s headquarters in beautiful Warren, ME. Lie-Nielsen has a well-deserved reputation for being first class hosts, and this is sure to be no exception.

Lie-Nielsen Saw Sharpening Workshop, May 13-14 in Warren, ME.

Over the course of two days, I will cover the basics of saw tooth geometry before moving on to practice filing both rip and crosscut teeth.

Registration and further details are available on the Lie-Nielsen website. If you have any questions, please contact either myself or Lie-Nielsen.

]]>http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/lie-nielsen-saw-sharpening-workshop-warren-me/feed/4New product additionshttp://www.blackburntools.com/blog/new-product-additions/
http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/new-product-additions/#commentsFri, 25 Nov 2016 18:25:59 +0000http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/?p=2178Continue reading →]]>For the last few months, I’ve been working on and experimenting with frame saws. Not my Roubo frame saws, but the European style that was used by Tage Frid. Finally, and after many delays, the hardware and blades for these Danish frame saws are now ready for ordering.

Frame saw hardware: This hardware is basic, but well-made from stainless steel for reliable performance and durability. PDF plans for the saw are freely available.

Closeup of Danish frame saw.

Danish frame saw blade and hardware kit.

Frame saw blades: For far too long, woodworkers have had to choose between machine-sharpened and set Western style blades and those with Japanese teeth that cannot be resharpened. My sharpened blades fill the empty niche between those two. Made from premium 1095 spring steel, they cut as fast and cleanly as Japanese teeth, but are easily resharpened. Ready to cut out of the box, although like any other frame saw blade, tracking is often improved by dressing the side of the teeth once the saw is fitted to the frame. Blades are also available unsharpened for those who prefer to sharpen and set their own teeth.

For now, I am making two different blades: a 16″, 9 ppi and a 24″, 6 ppi blade. Both are filed rip. If there is demand for other sizes and configurations, I will expand the range.

Please not that any blades that are ordered now will not ship until the New Year.

DVDs: I’ve added a new DVD section, with three titles for the time being. The first is Build Your Own Classic Frame Saws, a DVD I made this summer with Popular Woodworking that covers the construction and use of the Roubo and Danish frame saws.

]]>http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/new-product-additions/feed/1Christmas and new order delayshttp://www.blackburntools.com/blog/christmas-and-new-order-delays/
http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/christmas-and-new-order-delays/#commentsFri, 25 Nov 2016 16:50:39 +0000http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/?p=2176Continue reading →]]>Well, the last few weeks have been a blur around here. I’m still not sure what happened, but I’ve been blindsided by a sudden influx of new orders. While I should be able to fill existing orders before Christmas, any orders that contain saw parts (for Roubo frame saws, Danish frame saws, or backsaws) placed after this point may not ship until the New Year. If you have any questions about when a potential order may ship, please email me at isaac@blackburntools.com.

Thanks to all of my friends, family, and customers for their support; without your help, Blackburn Tools simply would not be possible.

]]>http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/christmas-and-new-order-delays/feed/0DVD – Build Your Own Classic Frame Sawshttp://www.blackburntools.com/blog/dvd-build-your-own-classic-frame-saws/
http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/dvd-build-your-own-classic-frame-saws/#commentsThu, 27 Oct 2016 05:18:49 +0000http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/?p=2170Continue reading →]]>This summer, I was given the opportunity to shoot a video for Popular Woodworking. Over the course of two days in coastal Maine, we filmed a video that covers the construction and use of two frame saws; the first a Roubo frame saw, and the second a frame saw like that used by Tage Frid.

The DVD will be available on my website sometime next week, along with hardware and blades for building the Danish style frame saw.

A big thanks to Billy Sims, the producer, as well as David Thiel and the Popular Woodworking editors for making this possible.

]]>http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/dvd-build-your-own-classic-frame-saws/feed/7Upcoming Lie-Nielsen Hand Tool Event® – Edmonston, MDhttp://www.blackburntools.com/blog/upcoming-lie-nielsen-hand-tool-event-edmonston-md/
http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/upcoming-lie-nielsen-hand-tool-event-edmonston-md/#commentsThu, 27 Oct 2016 03:19:17 +0000http://www.blackburntools.com/blog/?p=2163Continue reading →]]>40,000 square feet of architectural salvage and building supplies and home furnishings is a lot to search through in one day. Which is why I’m happy that I’ll be at the Lie-Nielsen Hand Tool Event hosted by Community Forklift both Friday and Saturday.

Remember, the admission to this event is free, and you will have a chance to play with a lot of beautiful tools, as well as talk to other people who share your passion for them. Hope to see a few of you there!